The nominee for chief justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court outlined her planned initiatives during a hearing Wednesday, with the overall goals of strengthening mentorship opportunities and connections between employees as they balance working in a hybrid, postpandemic environment.

Associate Justice Amy L. Blake, who has served on the bench for the past decade, was nominated by Gov. Maura Healey last month to be the first woman to lead the appellate division following the recent retirement of Chief Justice Mark Green. On Wednesday, the Governor's Council heard testimony from colleagues voicing their support, and councilors posed questions about Blake's strategic plans in an ever-changing legal landscape.